Fusioni & Acquisizioni

💰 GlobalData's analysis from January to November 2024 shows a 5.9% decrease in travel and tourism sector deals worldwide, totaling 649 compared to 690 in the same period in 2023. M&A volumes dipped by 0.8%, venture financing fell 25.3%, while private equity deals grew 27.3% year-on-year. Regional variations were observed: North America (-31%), Middle East and Africa (-18.2%), South and Central America (-20%), Asia-Pacific (-2.3%), while Europe saw a 15.9% increase. The USA, China, South Korea, and France experienced declines of 30.2%, 25.6%, 8.7%, and 25% respectively, whereas the UK, India, and Japan saw increases of 10%, 28.9%, and 44.8%.

🏝 Italy's balance of payments on tourism recorded a surplus of €2.7 billion in September, slightly down from September 2023. Foreign travelers' spending in Italy remained stable at €5.8 billion, while Italian travelers' spending abroad increased by nearly 4% to €3.1 billion. In the third quarter of 2024, the surplus was €9.6 billion, approximately 0.4% of GDP, consistent with the previous year's same quarter. Spending by Italian travelers abroad and foreign tourists in Italy grew by around 1% and 3.5%, respectively, with European destinations seeing about a 6% increase in spending.

💸 ACI blueteam reports a 5% increase in turnover to €270 million in 2024. Key sectors: Corporate Travel at €180 million (+2.84%), MICE up by 27% to €26 million, Leisure Travel grew 20% reaching €25 million, and Fulfillment held steady at €39 million. Despite a contraction in the fashion segment (60% of corporate revenue), growth was achieved. Expansion plans for 2025 include new Exclusive brand stores and the RIDE project. Prestigious events like the G7 Tourism summit were hosted.

🏖 FIPE-Confcommercio analysis on Istat data shows a decrease in tourist presence by 2.9 million (-1.4%) in the third quarter compared to the previous year. International visitors increased by 2.8% but didn't fully offset the 5.5% drop in domestic tourism. The summer of 2024 marked the first time foreign presences (52.3%) surpassed Italian tourists (47.7%). 9.3 million fewer Italian tourist presences than in summer 2019 (-8.7%), nearly recovered by an 8.6 million (+8.8%) rise in international visitors over five years.

💸 HNH Hospitality recorded a turnover of €113 million in the fiscal year, an 8% increase from 2023. EBITDA Margin reached nearly 15%, with room occupancy growing from 73.5% in 2023 to 77% in 2024 and the average daily rate (ADR) for rooms increasing by 4% to €164.7. The company celebrated a strategic turning point in 2024, including the management contract for Palazzo delle Stelline in Milan, set to relaunch under the MGallery brand in 2026. Additionally, HNH Hospitality is entering hotel real estate with up to 25% minority stakes and maintaining full operational control. In 2025, the Group will expand with a new extended stay project in Verona, featuring 23 apartments. CEO Luca Boccato aims to surpass €120 million in turnover, consolidating market position and opening new prospects.

🏂 Trentino achieved its best winter season in the last decade, with over 7.685 million overnight stays, reaching 90% occupancy between Christmas and New Year. Foreign guests made up 45% of the total, predominantly from Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, England, and Belgium. The Dolomiti Superski and Skirama Dolomiti - Adamello Brenta offer over 1500 hotels and 480,000 beds. Notable developments for 2024 include a new 10-seat cable car at San Martino di Castrozza and a water reservoir for snowmaking at Pordoi.

🏖️ Loredana Arcangeli, General Manager of Originaltour, celebrates 35 years in the industry, having started with just four partners including Luciano Paparelli. Initially focusing on Red Sea diving trips, they expanded to Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and began offering Oman tours 25 years ago. Originaltour became specialists in Oman, now featuring over 50 tented camps and leading in off-road tours, second only to a German operator. In 2024, they also saw success in Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and a recovering Sri Lanka market. Arcangeli's daughter Elena continues the legacy, ensuring tailored, high-quality travel experiences.

🏕 Gruppo UNA announces the addition of UNAHOTELS One Catania to its franchising network of over 20 hotels in partnership with MHG Italy. The hotel, a requalification of the historic Hotel Villa del Bosco, is set to open in April 2025. Located in a residential area of Catania, it features 55 rooms and suites, a high-cuisine restaurant, Technogym-equipped gym, an 80-seat meeting room, and a 1,400 sqm Spa. The Spa is one of the largest urban wellness centers in Italy, offering two pools, hammam, Finnish sauna, emotional showers, and advanced aesthetic treatments by [Comfort Zone]. Giorgio Marchegiani, CEO of Gruppo UNA, highlights the growing urban spa market trend. Donald DeVivo, CEO of MHG Italy, aims to expand in Sicily and other key Italian destinations, converting meeting areas into wellness oases.

🎭 MSC unveils new office in Milan, targeting Northern Italy's medium-high market. CEO Gianni Onorato and VP Leonardo Massa reveal MSC Cruises' aim to reach 5 million passengers by 2025. A new ship launches in Miami in April next year, while the third Explora luxury vessel joins the fleet by end of 2025. Italian cruises grew from 200,000 passengers in 2000 to 1.2 million in 2023. Over 100,000 Italians are expected to cruise the Mediterranean this winter.

🛫 London Stansted Airport aims to increase its passenger volume to 51 million per year by 2040, up from the current 48 million, without increasing the number of allowed flights. This growth is expected to be achieved through the use of larger aircraft. The plan follows a recently announced five-year £1.1 billion investment program.